When you’re renovating your home, the costs can add up pretty quickly. But you can get savvy and save without sacrificing your vision. If you go into your project with clear-eyed intention and care about saving, you can strategize in ways that give you vastly more bang for the buck. And, as every do-it-yourselfer knows, sometimes the best way to save money is to get in there and tackle some jobs on your own. It can seem daunting—and it may take a little trial and error—but on top of the cost-savings, work that you do will ultimately feel more rewarding. So don’t be too shy about busting out the tile tools and having at it yourself. Now let’s take a look at some of the best ways to save on your home renovation.
Grab a paintbrush and a roller
Painting is one thing basically any able-bodied do-it-yourselfer can handle. With enough practice, basically anybody who cares to do it can do it well. Of course, large exterior jobs might be best left for professional painters. But most interior jobs can be tackled by the homeowner. It’s guaranteed cost-savings. While the opportunity for serious flubs absolutely exists—spilled paint is no joke—most mistakes a do-it-yourself painter makes can simply be painted over.
Don’t be afraid to tile
Tile work isn’t for every do-it-yourselfer. But, again, this is certainly a skill pretty much anyone can gain if they’re willing to put in the time. And keep this in mind, too: Dated and damaged tile can be redeemed. Hairline cracks can be repaired with epoxy. Individual broken tiles can be replaced. And tile can be painted over. Whether you’re installing new tile on your own or fixing up the tile that you already have, a little elbow grease here can save you a bundle.
Hire the right contractor
The theme here is saving money, so this advice may seem counterintuitive: When you’re bringing on a contractor, don’t merely opt for the cheapest. You should always be wary of a price that’s vastly lower than other estimates. There’s undeniable appeal in cheap, but when a contractor is able to outprice the competition by a wide margin, it may suggest something is amiss. Perhaps the contractor will send in workers who don’t do quality work. Maybe they will be looking to save money on cheaper materials. Or maybe the contractor is just getting established and isn’t in high demand; that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but a track record is important.
Be sure the contractor you hire can handle the specifics of the job you have in mind. Have a look at the contractor’s previous work. Vet him or her by talking with former clients. And always draft a contract. This is all critical. Because when it comes down to it, paying for something twice, which may prove inevitable with shoddy work, isn’t a good cost-saving tactic. So, before you pull the trigger and hire a contractor, know the ins and outs.
DIY demo and cleanup can be done
Perhaps you don’t have the skills to build something. Maybe you don’t even trust that your hand is steady enough to paint. But if you’re healthy, you can certainly break some stuff. Okay, we’re talking demo here, and that doesn’t always mean destruction, but you get the drift.
Of course, if you aren’t careful, this can lead to more costs—don’t go knocking down walls in your house; that wall might be load-bearing, and who knows what wiring and pops are lurking back there. But any demo that you can do will save you from having to pay workers to do it for you. In the same vein, any prep work you can do to ready a space—whether that’s cleaning or removing furniture—will keep a few bucks in your pocket. The same goes for cleanup after the work is done.
Know what you want and start shopping
The earlier you commit to the items you’ll need for your renovation, the greater your likelihood of finding a deal. If you leave appliance and supply acquisition solely up to your contractor, you’re likely to end up paying more. Same goes for waiting until you need something to begin shopping.
So, if you’re renovating your kitchen and plan to end up with all new appliances, start hunting. As this Consumer Reports article lays out, you can pretty much always sweeten the deal you get on appliances, whether you’re getting a price-match guarantee, a rebate, or you score an always-satisfying haggling win. But the same holds true for pretty much anything you need. Commit early and stay vigilant: You’ll find the deals.
Don’t scoff at second-hand goods
A penchant for second-hand and retro items is definitely in the air. And that has led to a serious proliferation of markets for second-hand items that can come in handy during your renovation. Not only does that save you money, but it’s good for the environment. It can be a lot of fun, too. This Elemental Green rundown of where to score second-hand building materials can help you on your way.
When you’re looking to save on your home renovation, keep these things in mind: Look for deals, hire the right people and don’t be afraid to get in there and get your hands dirty. Even if you aren’t exactly Bob Vila, you can certainly handle some aspects of home renovation. You don’t need to be able to wield a cut-off saw with alacrity, and you don’t need to know the finer points about which construction adhesive is best for the job. When you lend a hand, you’re saving money.
